Fresh produce available at area farmers' markets

It's that time of year when the green thumbs of gardening start harvesting early produce and offering good, wholesome fare to area residents through their local farmer's market.

Garden Sass Farmer's Market in Cassville opened to the public on May 6. The market is located in the pavillion behind the old baseball fields at Seventh and Mineral Springs Road. Hours are from 7 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Spring produce ranges from green onions, lettuce, black walnut meats, ranger cookies, rhubarb, poke greens, strawberries, eggs, mustard greens and herbs. Other goods will be offered later in the season as crops ripen.

Up the road in Monett, the Farmer's Market is located at Front and Fourth Streets and features organic food, vegetables, fruits and crafts. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.

Pierce City is also organizing a new farmer's market which will open on June 4 downtown on Commercial Street. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.

Aurora offers two farmer's market locations.

The downtown market, located at the south parking lot of Aurora City Hall, is open on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. until dusk throughout the summer months, and from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.

The second farmer's market features locally grown produce, organic food and fruits and a variety of craft items. It is located at Park and Church Streets in Aurora and is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon and on Wednesdays from noon to sell out.

The Lawrence County Farmer's Market is open from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays at the Farm Bureau building on Highway 39 in Mt. Vernon.

Farmers from around Lawrence County bring their produce and craft items to this central location to offer them to the public.

A second market is located on the west side of the city square in Mt. Vernon next to the courthouse. Hours are every Saturday morning from 7 a.m. until noon through Oct. 31.